Daily Thought

The miracle of the loaves and fishes, the only one recorded in all four Gospels, marks a turning point in John’s narrative, as a simple comparison between verses 2 and 66 demonstrates. From now onwards public opposition to the Saviour’s ministry would increase.

This specific sign identified the Lord Jesus as Israel’s Messiah, the promised prophet, v. 14, and the expected king, v. 15. The evidence was His ability to provide food freely and abundantly. Bread was a vital part of God’s provision for His people, and Old Testament kingdom promises frequently cite a sufficiency of corn and wine as a characteristic of the millennium, Joel 2. 19; Zech. 9. 17. The Saviour had already made wine; now He multiplies loaves.

Uniquely among the evangelists, John notes that the Lord Jesus used the current emergency to test the Twelve’s growth in grace, John 6. 5, 6. After all, they had already seen Him at work in Cana and Jerusalem, witnessing numerous exhibitions of His divine power, v. 2. But did they live in the good of what they had seen? God tests our spiritual memory to find how much we have learned from our study of His word, and how far we are able to apply the truths we have read to the circumstances of daily life. Philip thought the need was too great, v. 7: considering the huge numbers, 200 days’ wages, Matt. 20. 2, would not be sufficient. Andrew felt the resources were too small, John 6. 9, for those five barley loaves were only tiny bread rolls. But John the narrator saw that the Lord Jesus was enough, v. 10. Everything depends on the direction in which we look. If, in the crisis, we focus on circumstances, saints, or self, we shall despair. Rather, we must look to a Saviour who cannot fail.

Is it not remarkable that, instead of creating food from scratch, the Creator condescended to employ what He had already made? He used a small boy’s lunch, which consisted of the cheapest bread, for barley was grown primarily for horses and asses. Our God specializes in taking the nonentities of this world and making something of them to His glory, 1 Cor. 1. 27-29. If you can be nothing else, be a barley cake for God.